tr?id=&ev=PageView&noscript=

The ‘Gander Holiday Bucket List

By The 'Gander Staff

December 10, 2024

December gives us a chance to decompress after a long year. It’s not just about Christmas, but whatever way you observe the holiday season.

Here are some of the events and activities we’re most looking forward to this holiday season.

The Best Holiday Light Displays in Michigan

Wayne County Lightfest

Now-Dec. 24

Get in the holiday spirit with a magical drive through Hines Park. Wayne County Lightfest features almost 50 animated holiday displays and more than 100,000 lights. Previous displays have included nutcrackers, reindeer, a yeti, a castle, and the Grinch.

Wild Lights

Now-Jan. 5

The Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights is another dazzling light show the entire family will enjoy. Millions of LED lights will illuminate the zoo, covering buildings, sculptures, and trees. There’s also a mesmerizing light tunnel and tons of illuminated animal-themed displays. In total, there are more than 500 displays to see, plus hot cocoa and holiday treats, warming stations with live music, a 4D theater playing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” an interactive wishing tree, and more.

The Big, Bright Light Show

Now-Jan. 19

If you haven’t noticed, light shows are a popular holiday activity in Michigan, and The Big, Bright Light Show is one you won’t want to miss. During this weeks-long event, businesses in downtown Rochester illuminate their storefronts with lights (more than one million in total), turning the area into a glimmering Disneyland-like destination.

The businesses also create elaborate themed window displays. In 2023, The Home Bakery built a life-size Barbie out of cake for its window display. Downtown Rochester is full of boutique stores and unique small businesses, so you can get some of your holiday shopping done while you take in the light show.

Holiday Lasers on the Ore Dock

Now-Dec. 28

Holiday Lasers on the Ore Dock in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Photo courtesy of Travel Marquette

Built in 1911 and still operating today, this icon of the Upper Peninsula (also known as the Presque Isle Dock) is 1,250 feet long and stands 75 feet tall above the waterline of Lake Superior—and since last year, it has served as the most unique canvas for a light display in the Mitten. For several weeks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in December, the Ore Dock becomes a dazzling display against the dark sky from 6-9 p.m. It’s free to all who can brave the cold, and it even comes along with a cheerful Spotify playlist to accompany the visual artwork.

Where to See the Biggest Christmas Trees in Michigan 

Campus Martius Park

Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit

Campus Martius Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. where you can view the 66-foot Michigan-grown Norway spruce decorated for the holidays. Ice skating is available on site, as well as Santa Claus visits and a variety of events scheduled throughout the rest of the month. Learn more here.

Michigan State Capitol

100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing

A 60-foot-tall spruce from Eagle is on display outside of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. The tree was donated by Dorcas and Rich Albertson and can be seen in all its holiday glory from now through the end of the Christmas season.

Spectacular Musical Tree Show

635 S Main St, Frankenmuth

Ok, this one isn’t quite as tall, but is still a sight to behold. At least seven times a day during the holiday season, this unforgettable feature replays itself outside the Frankenmuth Visitor’s Center. It’s a 44-foot-tall Christmas tree decked out with more than 23,000 lights that twinkle and dance to a cheerful, holiday medley. Each show lasts for seven minutes, and it’s impossible to walk away without feeling the holiday spirit.

READ MORE: 8 fun holiday attractions (besides Bronner’s) to find in Frankenmuth

The Best Christmas Events in Michigan

Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll

Now-Dec. 23

It doesn’t get more festive than Canterbury Village’s Holiday Stroll. For this event, the village is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with almost one million twinkling lights, a light show with classic holiday music, professional carolers, appearances from beloved characters including Buddy the Elf, Frosty the Snowman, “Frozen” stars Anna and Elsa, and many others. Warm up by the fire pits while you sip hot chocolate, beer, wine, or a cocktail.

Santa will also be available for photos and will have a mailbox on site for children to drop off their letters.

Dec. 14-15

The Holiday Stroll isn’t the only festive event Canterbury Village is hosting this year. On December 14 and 15, bring your appetite to the village for the Canterbury Cookie Crawl. Your $2 entry ticket will get you a homemade cookie at every shop in the village. You can sample them all while you shop for last-minute holiday gifts and vote for your favorite at the end, or bring a container to take some home to enjoy later.

TCTC Jingle Bell Run

Dec. 22

A 5K—but make it festive. That’s exactly what the Traverse City Track Club aims to do with its Jingle Bell Run. The TCTC Jingle Bell Run is a nighttime run that takes participants through neighborhood streets decked out with holiday lights and decorations. Participants are encouraged to dress in holiday attire and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies after the run. There will also be a cash bar at the nearby Park Place Hotel for those who want to celebrate with adult beverages.

READ MORE: Michigan’s holiday magic

The Best Hanukkah Event in Michigan

Menorah in the D

Dec. 25

A giant menorah

Photo courtesy of Menorah in the D

Menorah in the D is back for an evening of festive fun at Campus Martius in Detroit. The annual event will take place on the first night of Hanukkah and feature a menorah lighting, a fire show, crafts and activities for children, soup, snacks, and cider, and photo opportunities with Dreidel Man & the Dancing Dreidels.

The Best New Year’s Eve Events in Michigan

New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

Dec. 31

Downtown Ludington invites you to ring in the new year at its New Year’s Eve Ball Drop event. The night begins with a street party at Legacy Plaza featuring music by DJ Chris Bosse and beer, wine, and seltzer. The ball drop—West Michigan’s largest—takes place promptly at midnight, followed by a fireworks display.

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Dec. 31

Downtown Allegan’s New Year’s Eve Celebration also features a ball drop, which organizers say is the largest in Michigan with more than 30,000 synchronized LED lights covering a globe measuring more than 10 feet in diameter. There will also be large fire pits to keep attendees warm, plus food trucks, hot drinks, live music, and a silent disco.

CherryT Ball Drop

Dec. 31

This event was founded in 2008 by a small group of locals who were just daring enough to dream of a giant ultra-bright cherry ball dropping Times Square-style to ring in the New Year. And over the years, it has grown into a full-blown Up North block party for all ages. With music and always-rambunctious energy, the “Cherry Drop,” for short, has become a charity event that has raised over $100,000 for local causes.

READ MORE: 7 Michigan cities that always go big for the holidays

Author

CATEGORIES: THINGS TO DO

Related Stories

Share This